Giza: Egypt’s Third Largest City

Giza, the third-largest city in Egypt, is home to the Giza Plateau, the most renowned site of ancient Egyptian monuments. This area includes the Great Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and various temples, making it a focal point of Egypt’s rich heritage.

The Name and Historical Roots of Giza

Known in Arabic as “the best place of the valley,” Giza’s history is ancient. It features the ruins of Egypt’s first capital after unification. Another notable monument is the Step Pyramid of King Djoser from the 3rd Dynasty, considered Egypt’s oldest pyramid.

The Egyptian Pyramids: A Testament to Ancient Glory

The construction of Egyptian pyramids spanned from the Old Kingdom to the Ptolemaic period in the fourth century AD. Pyramid building peaked from the late 3rd Dynasty to the 6th Dynasty (c. 2325 BC). Over 4,000 years later, these structures still exude majesty, offering a glimpse into Egypt’s rich and powerful past. Built during a time when Egypt was one of the world’s richest and most powerful civilizations, the pyramids, especially the Great Pyramids of Giza, stand as some of the most magnificent man-made structures in history. Their massive scale reflects the unique role of the pharaoh in ancient Egyptian society.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu

The Great Pyramid of Khufu, also known as Cheops, is the only one of the original Seven Wonders of the World still in existence. Khufu, who reigned for about 23 years, was the son of Snefru and was the first pharaoh to build a pyramid on the Giza Plateau. His monument, Akhet Khufu (Horizon of Khufu), remains an impressive structure. At the height of the 6th Dynasty, Giza became a significant extension of the Memphite necropolis.

The Pyramid of Khafre

Khufu’s son, Khafre (also known as Khephren), built his pyramid nearby. Although it appears taller due to being on higher ground, it originally stood at 447.5 feet (136.4 m), making it 33.5 feet (10.2 m) shorter than the Great Pyramid. The pyramid’s core consists of rough, irregular limestone blocks, while a band of more regular-shaped stones is visible below the remaining casing. The outer skin’s lower course is composed of red granite, well-preserved on the southern side.

The Pyramid of Menkaure

The Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of the three main pyramids of Giza, stands at 66 meters (216 feet) high. King Shepseskaf, Menkaure’s successor, completed this magnificent structure made of granite and limestone. Menkaure’s pyramid chambers are more intricate than those of Khafre, featuring a chamber with decorative panels and another with six large niches. The burial chamber is lined with massive granite blocks. A fine basalt sarcophagus was originally found in a 41-centimeter (16-inch) deep recess in the floor, but it sank into the sea during transportation to England in 1838 AD.